Pianist_Frea

They told her she was just another orphan. Another runaway. Another nobody.

They lied.

When Ember is captured during a high-stakes escape, the Regime’s system scans her—and does something impossible. It lets her in.

The machines obey her. The code bends to her will. And a voice inside her head whispers secrets she was never meant to remember.

She isn’t just part of the system.

She is the system.

Now, both the Regime and the rebels want her—one to control her, the other to destroy her. But Ember has her own plan: BURN IT DOWN.

If the world made her a weapon, it’s about time she started acting like one.

Echoes of the System

The sirens wailed, their high-pitched shriek rattling the underground base. The once-organized war room turned chaotic as resistance fighters scrambled to arm themselves, their movements sharp with urgency.

Ember's mind snapped into focus. No more training. This is real.

Commander was already moving, barking orders. "Seal the lower tunnels! Block all alternate exits except the south corridor! We control the flow of this fight, not them!"

Rhea grabbed Ember's arm. "We need to move."

But Ember wasn't frozen. She wasn't panicking. She had been waiting for this moment.

She turned to Kai. "Who are we up against?"

Kai, already loading his weapons, glanced at her. "The Regime. And they wouldn't have come if they weren't certain they could crush us."

His words weren't meant to be comforting, but they fueled the fire inside her.

Commander shoved a compact firearm into Ember's hands. "You ever used one of these?"

Ember gripped the cold metal, feeling its weight. "No."

Commander nodded. "Good. That means you won't hesitate."

The overhead lights flickered as distant explosions rumbled through the underground structure. The enemy was close. Too close.

Axel jogged up, his expression grim. "They're forcing entry through the main gate. We have less than three minutes before they breach."

Commander's face hardened. "Then we hold them at the choke points. Ember, Rhea—you're with me. Kai, take the east flank."

Kai hesitated for half a second. "We don't have the numbers for a full fight."

Commander's gaze was like steel. "Then we fight smart."

Ember's grip on the gun tightened. This wasn't like the battles in the training room. If she failed here, she wouldn't get another chance.

They sprinted through the dimly lit corridors, the sounds of heavy boots and shouting growing louder. The scent of smoke, sweat, and something metallic filled the air. Ember's heartbeat matched the rhythm of approaching destruction.

Chunks of steel and concrete flew in all directions, shattering into deadly shrapnel. Ember threw herself behind cover as a wave of heat and dust filled the hallway.

The first wave of Regime soldiers stormed in, their armor gleaming under the emergency lights. They moved with terrifying precision, weapons raised, eyes scanning for targets.

CRACK! A single shot rang out, and the lead soldier dropped.

Gunfire erupted in the narrow corridor, bullets ricocheting off metal walls. Ember pressed herself against the barricade, heart hammering. Breathe. Focus. Act.

She peeked around the corner. The Regime soldiers were advancing, using cover, moving methodically. Too disciplined. Too strong.

If they didn't turn this around fast, the resistance wouldn't survive.

She locked eyes with Rhea. No words were needed. They moved.

Ember darted from cover, firing two rapid shots. One missed, the other clipped a soldier's shoulder—not enough.

A return shot whizzed past her head.

A power conduit overhead, barely secured.

Raising her gun, she fired at the rusted bolts. Sparks flew as the structure groaned.

It crashed onto the enemy's formation, sending arcs of electricity through their ranks. Some convulsed, others fell back, the sudden chaos breaking their precision.

Commander seized the opening. "Push forward! Now!"

Ember surged ahead, her body a weapon, a force, a wildfire.

But Ember wasn't going down without a fight.

And if she had anything to say about it—

Chapter Twenty-Four